There are lots of sayings about the number one, some not so positive. “There’s one in every crowd!” “One is the loneliest number!” And, being “one of those people” is not always a good thing. The number one suggests seclusion, separation, maybe even being an outcast.

Don’t we all know about being “one of those people” and feeling like an outcast? And no matter how much we try to fit in, even in a crowd, aren’t there times when we can feel so lonely? Is it just me that feels this way? As a child of God, we shouldn’t feel lonely, because we are never alone. Deuteronomy 31:8  promises, “The Lord Himself goes before you and will be with you; He will never leave you, nor forsake you. Do not be afraid, do not be discouraged.”

Each of us captures the attention of the Lord of the Universe, not because of who we are but because of Who He is. The power that draws Him to us is His great love for each and every one of us. Romans 5:8 says, “But God demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”

Each “one” matters to the Lord! In Luke 15:4-7, Jesus told this parable, “Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them. Does he not leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it? And when he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders and goes home. Then he calls his friends and neighbors together and says, ‘Rejoice with me; I have found my lost sheep.’ I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent.”

In fact, Jesus the Great Shepherd loves us so much that He gave His life for us to give each one of us everlasting life in Heaven with Him. Talk about the “Power of One!”

In the Bible, there are many stories about God using just “one” person to change the world. He used one man, Noah, to save mankind from extinction. He used one man, Abraham, to become the “father of a nation”. He used one woman, Esther, to save a nation. And He used one woman, Mary, to be the mother of Jesus.

What does He want to use you for? Maybe to change the world? Maybe to just take a cake and a smile to the widow next door? Changing the world can start with that first kind deed.

We see the world around us, the one we are trying to raise our children in. It is changing and often not for the better. Everywhere we turn, it seems there is more violence, more evil, more sickness, more sadness, more division, more brokenness and more heartache. Don’t we each long to make a difference in the world? But how can we? After all, we are just “one”.

The good news is that’s all it takes—just ”one”. Andrew Jackson once said, “One man with courage makes a majority.”

Could it be that God is looking for just “one”? One willing to do something in the face of adversity? One with courage? One to make a difference even if it’s only to one other person? One to stand up for what is right and true and just and pure?

The Starfish Story by Loren Eisley is an example of the difference one person can make and the importance of helping just one. …One day a man was walking along the beach when he noticed a boy picking something up and gently throwing it into the ocean. Approaching the boy, he asked, “What are you doing?”

The youth replied, “Throwing starfish back into the ocean. The surf is up and the tide is going out. If I don’t throw them back, they’ll die.”

“Son,” the man said, “Don’t you realize there are miles and miles of beach and hundreds of starfish? You can’t make a difference!”

After listening politely, the boy bent down, picked up another starfish, and threw it back into the surf. Then, smiling at the man, he said, “I made a difference for that one.”

Helen Keller once said, “I am only one, but still I am one. I cannot do everything, but still I can do something; and because I cannot do everything, I will not refuse to do something that I can do.”

1 Corinthians 12:27 says, “You are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it.” It’s about being cherished and sought after and saved by Christ; and the power of each of us to go out and cherish and seek and let Christ use us to save others. Each of us might not be able to do it all but each one of us can do something! Are you that “one”?

Dear Lord: Thank You that if each of us were the only one, You would have still sent Your Son Jesus to die to us. Your Word says that The shepherd leaves the 99 in search of the 1. Help us to be courageous to take that step for You. Whatever Your purpose and calling for us, help us to be willing to be the one who is surrendered to Your plan for our lives. Help each one of us to reach one for You today. Amen

“In them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me.”  John 17:23

But each one can reach one as we follow after Christ. We all can lead one. We can lead one to the Savior. And together we can tell the world that Jesus is the way .  —Babbie Mason

I would love to hear from you. Please share your experiences, comments and thoughts.

Thank you for reading and sharing my blogpost today. May God richly bless you and your family, and empower you to be that “one”.